Earlier this week the Anchorage School District (ASD) announced that it is adopting the Common Core Standards. From what I read, the motivation to make this adoption is based on the understanding that the Core is more rigorous than Alaska’s standards and because it will provide ASD with the ability to compare itself with similar size districts that are also basing their instruction on the Core. Is this a good move? Certainly. Is it enough of a move to take a big step up the improvement ladder? Probably not, but it is a start.
When you look at the highest performing school districts, you will find that they adhere to what Bellamy (2011) describes as the traits of High Reliability Organizations (HRO). Bellamy writes that an HRO achieves reliability through four distinctive accomplishments
Sustaining commitment to a dual bottom line-the ability to work in two modes, one standardized and centrally controlled, the other decentralized, improvisational and situation specific.
Centralized procedural control and standardization- the non-negotiable content standards that we follow are an example of this.
Flexibility for situational improvisation-an example of this is our collaboration among teachers that addresses what’s most needed at the classroom or school level.
Combining opposite operating modes- a recognition that it is important to take advantage of both tightly standardized operations and local flexibility.
Here on the Kenai we are striving to meet the four accomplishments. I am sure that ASD will do the same. The challenge of finding the right balance between the opposite operating modes is one that takes time and trust. This is why our work with collaboration is so important. I commend ASD for taking the bold step of adopting the Core. Research suggests however, that by itself, this move will not have the intended effect.
Bellamy, G.T., (2011). High reliability and leadership for educational change. In McRel Noteworthy perspectives: high reliability organizations in education (pp. 24-36). Denver, CO: McRel
Opposite Operating Modes
Earlier this week the Anchorage School District (ASD) announced that it is adopting the Common Core Standards. From what I read, the motivation to make this adoption is based on the understanding that the Core is more rigorous than Alaska’s standards and because it will provide ASD with the ability to compare itself with similar size districts that are also basing their instruction on the Core. Is this a good move? Certainly. Is it enough of a move to take a big step up the improvement ladder? Probably not, but it is a start.
When you look at the highest performing school districts, you will find that they adhere to what Bellamy (2011) describes as the traits of High Reliability Organizations (HRO). Bellamy writes that an HRO achieves reliability through four distinctive accomplishments
Here on the Kenai we are striving to meet the four accomplishments. I am sure that ASD will do the same. The challenge of finding the right balance between the opposite operating modes is one that takes time and trust. This is why our work with collaboration is so important. I commend ASD for taking the bold step of adopting the Core. Research suggests however, that by itself, this move will not have the intended effect.
Bellamy, G.T., (2011). High reliability and leadership for educational change. In McRel Noteworthy perspectives: high reliability organizations in education (pp. 24-36). Denver, CO: McRel